I suspect male colleagues doing the same job as me are being paid more. How do I go about finding out?

Acas encourages potential claimants to ask questions of their employer before deciding whether to issue tribunal proceedings in an equal pay claim. It suggests asking informally first, if possible, and then putting your questions in writing. Your employer will not be able to share information about individuals but can provide general information, and Acas suggests this could include:  

• how much people of the opposite sex who do the same or similar work as you earn; 
• the contractual terms and conditions for people of the opposite sex who do the same or similar work as you; 
• the reason for any difference in pay and terms and conditions.  

You can also ask your colleagues if they are prepared to give you details about their pay. Before you issue a claim you must be able to identify a comparator (a colleague of the opposite sex whose pay you are comparing with yours).